Volunteers scramble to get signatures in time

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The race is on for those considering a candidacy for the U.S. Senate or the House to get their signatures in time for the primary.

The numbers of candidates for the races have grown since Senator Olympia Snowe announced Wednesday that she would not seek a fourth term in the Senate. This weekend volunteers for both major parties hit the pavement, clipboards in hand. Maine Democrats and Republicans say the parties aren't throwing their support behind any specific candidates just yet.

"We have encouraged all of our supporters and all of our activists to get out there and get signatures for all of the candidates because it's so important that we have such a full ticket to run for all of the offices throughout the state" Maine Republican Party Vice-Chair Ruth Summers told NEWS CENTER.

"A primary helps us determine who the best candidate is so we're ready to work out whatever situation happens," Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Mary Erin Casale said. "And it will be very interesting to see on March 15th who has laid the ground game to get their signatures in."

Candidates have to collect two thousand signatures to run for Senate and one thousand to run for the House.